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Local News for a Global Village | www.VoiceSB.com
May 14, 2021
Santa Barbara Symphony
The orchestra performs for a live audience for the first time in over a year! space once again into the present moment. Goosebumps were the particularly, conductor Nir Kabaretti, who gave his rapt little order of the day. Unforgettable. audience of patrons and friends a lively history of the piece before T WAS BOTH SURREAL AND SUBLIME at the Granada Ubiquitous temperature readings and vaccination certifications launching into an exciting read through with the orchestra of all Theatre on Thursday, May 6th for those few (COVID-19 processed outside, guests four movements; a feat that restrictions) invited to watch an were escorted to socially spoke to the orchestra’s afternoon rehearsal prior to the distanced seating splayed unquestioned virtuosity. Santa Barbara Symphony’s videotaping throughout the enormous Heartfelt applause later in the day of the season finale balcony and box seating just imagine - vanquished concert headlined appropriately, sections of the roughly 1,600 all memory of the past Triumph. That show will be broadcast capacity theatre. No-one was and gave everyone in the on the internet on May 15th to allowed on the orchestra floor theatre, musicians and subscribers and the public. or stage area, to protect the auditors alike, goosebumps For some, a conflation of The orchestra players’ safety and of pleasure and optimism. Andromeda Strain and Sound of Music, space. The future is bright, toasted the vibe at the Granada Theatre was Fifty or so guests in those who stayed after for both spooky and thrilling; the first time such a big room might have drinks on State Street in the since COVID-19 stopped the entire seemed a bit apocryphal, shadow of the now at least Joseph Malvinni, winner of the Santa Barbara Youth planet in its tracks that a small, invited Symphony Concerto Competition were it not for the excitement partially re-christened hall. audience of about 50 was allowed into of simply being back in the The May 15th live the cavernous hall to experience a live orchestra rehearsal. fabulous venue after such a long hiatus. Humans tend to stream concert from the Surreal, because those present couldn’t help but sense the be social animals, and on this occasion, though separated Granada Theatre at 7pm Dickensian emptiness of the place as they Guest Artist Awadagin Pratt by distance, socializing, even through will feature, in addition entered for the first time in over a year. No masks, filled the theatre with chatter and to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, guest artist Awadagin Pratt cobwebs, no Havisham’s lurking about in the positive energy. performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12, Benjamin Britten’s shadows. Rather, a profound emptiness and A smaller Santa Barbara Symphony, not Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury and Joseph Malvinni, winner of quiet, a chill in the air after so many months of the full orchestra, yet the largest number of the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony Concerto Competition lockdown. musicians brought together by management so performing the first movement of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Concerto Sublime, because the Santa Barbara far since COVID-19, assembled for the reading for Guitar. Symphony rattled the ghosts and cleared the rehearsal of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Some, air, reading through Beethoven’s magnificently the entire brass section for example, were fully optimistic Symphony No. 7 without glitch, Daniel Kepl has been writing music, theatre, and dance reviews vaccinated, so the plastic shields and separators or Santa Barbara publications since he was a teenager. His pause, or artistic ruffle, in preparation for the professional expertise is as an orchestra conductor. remembered from previous Symphony video video session later that day. The room breathed broadcasts were not needed. Strings remained again after such a long silence. The sound of For more reviews by Daniel Kepl visit: masked - a prudent precaution. All the enthusiastic applause seemed to usher the great SB Symphony Conductor and www.performingartsreview.net Artistic Director Nir Kabaretti musicians were dressed casually for rehearsal, Review by Daniel Kepl / VOICE
Photos by Nik Blaskovich
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Opera Santa Barbara
Everything Greek!
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PERA SANTA BARBARA CELEBRATED BOTH THEIR MAESTRO AND THE PERFORMING ARTS during a birthday benefit dinner fittingly called Everything Greek! on Saturday, honoring Athens born Artistic and General Director Kostis Protopapas. Guests arriving at the University Club of Santa Barbara posed in front of a Greek flag while gold laurel wreaths covered blue and white decorated tables alongside photos of Protopapas from childhood to recent sailing trips. The Greek band Synthesi performed traditional Greek folk music while guests dined on a Mediterranean themed menu. Current Helen Dorra, Eve Bernstein, Mary Dorra, Susan Van Abel, Judy Smith, and Eric Oltmann Opera SB Board Chair Joan Rutkowski was joined by former chairs Sandy Urquhart and Nancy Golden in welcoming guests and donors who have supported the company for the better part of its 27-year history. Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts Board Chair Palmer Jackson, Jr. led the first toast of the evening followed by Opera Santa Barbara co-founder Marilyn Gilbert. Guest of honor Protopapas closed the evening declaring it his “best birthday ever” surrounded by friends in the community he has come to cherish. As a birthday wish, he encouraged guests to continue to support all of the performing arts companies in Santa Barbara by showing up for upcoming Standing: Sandy Urquhart and Bob Urquhart live productions. Front: Linda DiFiore and Martin McKenzie Opera SB Board Chair Joan Rutkowski with Artistic & General Director Kostis Protopapas
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